16 USC 8544 - Service First Initiative; permits for multijurisdictional trips

U.S Code last checked for updates: Feb 22, 2025

§ 8544.

Service First Initiative; permits for multijurisdictional trips

(a)

Omitted

(b)

Cooperative action and sharing of resources by the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture

(1)

In general

For fiscal year 2024, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretaries may carry out an initiative, to be known as the “Service First Initiative”, under which the Secretaries, or Federal land management agencies within their departments, may—

(A)

establish programs to conduct projects, planning, permitting, leasing, contracting, and other activities, either jointly or on behalf of one another;

(B)

co-locate in Federal offices and facilities leased by an agency of the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture; and

(C)

issue rules to test the feasibility of issuing unified permits, applications, and leases, subject to the limitations in this section.

(2)

Delegations of authority

(3)

Effect

(4)

Transfers of funding

(5)

Report

(c)

Pilot program for special recreation permits for multijurisdictional trips

(1)

In general

(2)

Minimum number of permits

(3)

Lead agencies

In carrying out the pilot program established under paragraph (1), the Secretaries shall—

(A)

designate a lead agency for issuing and administering a set of separate special recreation permits or commercial use authorizations; and

(B)

select not fewer than 4 offices at which a person shall be able to apply for a set of separate special recreation permits or commercial use authorizations, of which—

(i)

not fewer than 2 offices are managed by the Secretary; and

(ii)

not fewer than 2 offices are managed by the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.

(4)

Retention of authority by the applicable Secretary

(5)

Option to apply for separate special recreation permits or commercial use authorizations

A person seeking the appropriate permits or authorizations for a multijurisdictional trip may apply for—

(A)

a separate special recreation permit or commercial use authorization for the use of each unit of Federal recreational lands and waters on which the multijurisdictional trip occurs; or

(B)

a set of separate special recreational permits or commercial use authorizations made available under the pilot program established under paragraph (1).

(6)

Effect

(Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 315, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2903.)

cite as: 16 USC 8544